By Doug Bardwell
If you have ever dreamed of a ‘big’ adventure, but never followed through on it, now may be the time to make it happen. How about the roadtrip of a lifetime, through some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth? It’s all mapped out, with helpful signage, in a foreign land where just about everyone speaks English. It’s called the Wild Atlantic Way.
Travel Ireland
Cliffs of Moher at sunset
Experience the forty shades of green, the freshest seafood imaginable, dramatic sea cliffs and surf that has traveled thousands of miles – uninhibited – until it crashes against the western Irish shores. This is the Wild Atlantic Way, and you can experience it alone, with your significant other or with your entire family.
Sights and activities abound for all ages along the entire western coast of Ireland that makes up the Wild Atlantic Way. Special blue and white signposts mark the entire 1,550 mile (2,500 km) route and special “Discovery Points” have been designated and published in a handy guide: 50 Secrets of the Wild Atlantic Way.
You could sign up for any number of special tour packages that would take you to see some of the Wild Atlantic Way, but this travel writer wants you to consider traveling independently to really experience the country, the people, and the adventure that’s within your reach.
[See a great infographic on all the things to see and do along the Wild Atlantic Way]
Big tour buses are NOT the way to travel Ireland
Big tour buses can’t get you into the little towns and tiny pulloffs you’ll want to stop at. Group tours don’t let you spend as much time as you’ll want to spend at some of the quaint little shops you’ll discover. Consider a private tour or better yet, driving yourself over as much of the Wild Atlantic Way as you have time to experience. It will be the highlight of the year – I can guarantee it.
Fanad Head Lighthouse keeps watch over the NW coast of Ireland. Big tour buses can’t come here.
Over the next 30 days, I’ll be adding tons of content, covering things to see and do all along the Wild Atlantic Way. Click here to be added to a special mailing list that will let you know what content has been posted each week or bookmark this page and stop back when you are ready to start planning your trip.
I recently spent two weeks exploring much of the length of the Wild Atlantic Way – first as part of a small tour group, then driving a rental car – staying at some super interesting off the beaten path accommodations, and then in a small motorhome from Bunk Campers, camping along the way. I’ll share the rewards and cautions about each method of travel, so follow along as we touch on all the following areas I visited.
Traveling by campervan from BunkCampers.com gives you the most travel choices.
Sections of the Wild Atlantic Way:
Northwest Section
County Donegal
Leo’s Tavern in Crolly [website]
Dunfanaghy Stables along Killahoey Beach [website]
Rosapenna Hotel in Downings – Vardon restaurant [website]
E-Biking with Grassroutes [website]
Portsalon Beach on Ballymastocker Bay
Rathmullan House Hotel [website]
Donegal Craft Village [website]
Donegal Castle [website]
The Olde Castle Bar & Restaurant [website]
Slieve League Cliffs [website]
Castle Murray House Hotel [website]
Creevy Experience at Ballyshannon [website]
County Sligo
Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone – Coral Restaurant [website]
West Section
County Mayo
Ceide Fields at Ballycastle [website]
Bike trip on the Greenway [website]
County Galway
Station House Hotel in Clifden [website]
Ballyconnely
Walking tour with Conor O’Riordan
Mid West
County Clare
County Limerick
Southwest
County Kerry
Donoghue’s White Villa Farm Campground
County Cork
Walking the Sheeps Head Peninsula
West Cork Camino from Lighthouse to St. Finbarrs Pilgrim Way
Gougane Barra – St. Finbarr’s Oratory
Continue Reading: Next article in the Wild Atlantic Way series: Seeing Ireland in a Bunk Camper
Articles about my Ireland Bunk Camper Adventure:
Bunk Campers enable you to travel independently in Ireland
Killarney — a gem of a National Park
The Ring of Kerry tour done the right way
Loop Head Peninsula – great sites sans crowds
Doolin, Ireland for caves, castles and coastal walks
Cliffs of Moher – one of the most visited sites in Ireland
The Secrets of Ireland’s Wild Irish Way
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